Man sentenced to 30 years for abusing 3-month-old child

BROOKINGS — A local man was sentenced to 30 years in the state penitentiary for abusing an infant child on Tuesday morning at the Brookings County Courthouse.

Bailey Melchor, 19, previously pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated assault domestic violence — Class 3 felonies — and one count of abuse or cruelty to a minor under 7 years old, another class 3 felony.

Judge Abigail Howard sentenced Melchor to 30 years on the five counts on May 19 while suspending execution of more time on conditions imposed by the court.

According to Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson, new state law means Melchor will not be eligible for parole for 25 years.

“The investigation into how Mr. Melchor assaulted and abused this infant was truly horrific,” Nelson said in a statement to The Beacon. “We insisted he enter a guilty plea to every injury he inflicted on the infant victim. I think the Judge’s judgment of 30 years in prison reflects the violence and seriousness of his conduct. Due to the change in law, he will not parole prior to serving the 30 years. We hope and pray for the victim’s continued recovery. These types of cases require tireless work and dedication, so I appreciate law enforcement’s effort and my staff and their focus and commitment to ensuring justice was pursued.”

The case stems back to Oct. 14, 2025, when Brookings Police were dispatched to the Brookings Emergency Room where a three-month-old child was presented with broken ribs, internal bleeding and a possible brain bleed, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case.

Police interviewed Melchor, the baby’s father, who admitted to:

Choking the baby, throwing the baby and slapping the baby. According to the affidavit, the baby had to be transported to a Sioux Falls hospital because the injuries were too severe to be treated at Brookings Hospital.

Melchor was arrested and booked into the Brookings County Detention Center, where he remained in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Melchor was eventually recharged via grand jury indictment.

Howard sentenced Melchor to the suspended time under the condition that he pay his fine and costs, including repaying digital forensic examination and lawyer’s fees.

Melchor was given credit for 217 days in the county jail while awaiting sentencing and was remanded to the custody of the Brookings County Sheriff’s office for transportation to the state pen in Sioux Falls.

Linehan is the Beacon’s managing editor and welcomes story tips and comments at BrookingsBeacon@gmail.com